Modi'in Mayor Slams Police and IDF Over Draft Dodger Confrontation

Hundreds of Haredi protesters clashed with police and military police in Modi'in overnight, attempting to prevent the arrest of a draft dodger. The protesters surrounded the individual's home, tried to break into the building, and engaged in confrontations with security forces, ultimately leading to the draft dodger's release.

Modi'in Mayor Chaim Bibas, who also heads the Local Government Association, expressed outrage over the events, calling them "shameful videos." He criticized the police and military for their "lack of preparedness" and suggested volunteer organizations could step in if security forces are unable to handle such situations. Bibas stated that the night should have ended with mass arrests and that residents mistook the protesters for Arabs in disguise. He vowed to prepare backup forces if security services fail to function, similar to actions taken after October 7th.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit confirmed that military police conducted an operation to enforce the security service law against draft dodgers. They stated that a large number of "rioters" organized to disrupt the operation, endanger soldiers, and prevent the arrest. The police arrived to restore order and disperse the gatherings, noting significant resistance and disruption. The IDF condemned any attempt to interfere with or harm soldiers performing their duties and affirmed that enforcement against draft dodgers would continue.

Political reactions were swift and sharp. Opposition figures condemned the violence and the perceived breakdown of law and order. Gadi Eisenkot of the 'Yesh!' party criticized the mob's actions preventing an arrest, stating that a country sending its youth to war cannot tolerate a "state within a state" that allows evasion of service. Naftali Bennett of 'Achdut' described the scene as a dangerous "ambush" of security forces by "extreme rioters," attributing it to the "Netanyahu-Der'i-Smotrich legacy." Yair Golan of 'HaDemocratim' linked the draft dodging to anarchy, accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu of funding evasion and weakening the state for political gain.

Moti Leitner, chairman of 'Hacharedi La'am', denounced the violence by "Jerusalem Faction thugs," calling for their imprisonment and urging Haredi leaders to condemn the riots. Conversely, Yitzhak Goldknopf, chairman of Agudat Yisrael, condemned the arrest of the yeshiva student, calling the nighttime raid a "stain of disgrace" on a Jewish state and blaming the Prime Minister for the "persecution of Torah scholars."